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When the Railroad Leaves Town: American Communities in the Age of Rail Line Abandonment--Western U.S.
When the Railroad Leaves Town American Communities in the Age of Rail Line AbandonmentWestern US Author:Joseph P. Schwieterman The history of the American West is an epic tale richly accompanied by railroads. From the Illinois prairie to the shores of Oahu, many legendary rail lines are now just dusty trails bereft of their former significance. These abandoned routes show the profound changes that affect the way we travel and conduct business. Through the use of maps, ... more »photographs, and a fast-moving narrative, Schwieterman illustrates the circumstances surrounding the rise and fall of rail service in fifty-eight communities distinguished for their notable railroad histories. For each community he provides a chapter describing the controversies, legal battles, and civic initiatives spurred by the abandonment of routes. Drawing on insights of many fellow railroad historians, Schwieterman shows why the legacy of the railroads will be felt for generations to come--a fact evident to readers by comparing a photograph during the glory years and contrasted with a stark remnant today. What emerges is a portrait of an industrial shift that has left an indelible mark on the Wests social, economic, and physical landscape.« less